PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PRAYER.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1943, 29 December 1913, Page 5

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PRAYER.

Archbishop Wright, in delivering on December 12 at St. Andrew's {j-atlicd-ral (Sydney) the last of a series of addresses on "The Ethics of Women and Human Socicty," dealt particularly with tho subject of prayer. After referring to public and- private, liturgical and uiuittfrgical prayer, h© asked and answered Uio questions, "Why do wo pray?" and '"What does it mean for great gatherings of men and women to speak to tho Infinite rind get (presumably) no answer. ll "

It did not need a Christian, ho said, t) answer the questions. It was something that tlmy instinctively knew, and bad iw need to argue abont. In their helplessness and perplexity, in illness or suffering, the instructive tense of a greater Power than themselves impelled thorn to reach out to that Power, to lift up their hearts to tho unseen, and ask protection and guidance. This instinct was common to the whole human race, whether Christian or not. But tho Christian, having tho reve'ation of tlic Father's 'pvc, turned wiih a child's confidence to God. The natural instinct of tho heart was guided by the teaching i>f the Master. The veil had been drawn aside, and behind it was the Father's face.

Public or organ iitid prayer was its necessary as private prayer. As Anglicans, they favoured liturgical prayer, though he admitted the greater elasticity of finlitufgical prayer, With tin, liturgical prayer the congregation was entirely dependent upon him who led tho prayer, and they could not prepare themselves for tho service, not knowing tho subject of the prayers. But their liturgical prayers contained the emotions of sonic of tiie holiest men of the Church, it ensured the co-operation <il the congregation, and they know that their kin far away Were joining in tho same beautiful prayers. Tin's was impossible with nnlitnrgical prayer, though often tho use of the samo words induced tlto formality of kneeling and repeating words without praying from tins heart,

Tho Afdsbishop concluded by emjilmsising tlio l-esptmsilaility af ivoik.hi in regard to prayer. Tho ivomnnlioad of the world had the Gad-given instinct to pray and to loiul others to pray.